Chapter 56

The morning after the storm in Alaha

"What do you mean you broke the Kenta soldier out of the brig?" Kai says, eyes wide.

I shush him and pull him further behind the tanner's shop. "He was going to die."

"Yeah, Brynn, that was sort of the plan," he says, body hunched as he whisper-yells at me. "Then we were going to put his body in a boat and send him back to sea, so it looked like an accident."

"Listen," I say, urging him to calm down with a hand against his chest. "Your father made him give a blood oath to not reveal my true identity when we went in to speak to him. He's totally convinced I'm in the dark about everything, convinced I've been sheltered from the truth of magic and my bloodline." I step in close, the wind left behind from the storm creating a frenzy within the trees, capable of carrying voices with it. "I think…if I can convince him I'm naive, he'll take me back to land with him."

"Brynn, no," he says, eyes unyielding. "You have no idea what he's capable of. He's known for being ruthless on the battlefield. He could very well get a wild notion and kill you in your sleep."

"He's the prince," I stress. "He can take me to the palace. Maybe if I can get close enough to the king— "

"You can what?" he snaps, voice firm. "Kill him? Edmond, the king of Kenta, the most powerful leader in history?"

"I haven't awakened yet. I could be as powerful as you and not know it."

He's already shaking his head, pacing away from me with his hands on his hips. "He's only here to enact revenge for the Market. The explosion was supposed to look like an accident, but he must know you had something to do with it."

"I'm telling you, Kai, he's so sure of my innocence. He thinks I've been manipulated by your father all my life. I can use it to our advantage."

More head shaking. "And how is it you plan on getting to Kenta?"

"We'll take one of the fishing vessels."

He scoffs. "No one's made it across the open sea in a boat that small. You'd never make it."

"You don't know for sure."

"We know anything over an average-sized swell will shatter the hull. It happens all the time."

"Kai," I say, allowing the stubbornness in my tone to hang between us. "I'm not asking your permission."

He turns to look at me, a barrage of emotions filtering behind his eyes. Anger. Disbelief. But most of all…hurt.

"My parents would make me marry."

I look down before finding the courage to meet his eyes again. "I know."

My answer settles over him in one fell swoop before he hides it, turning away on an exhale.

"You can't deny this is the best chance we have for the rebellion," I say, softening my voice, placating. "We're going to run out of food, being barred from the Market, and it'll be even sooner since your father has stopped the fishing excursions."

He wants to argue but knows I'm right. "If the people think the prince took you," he says, almost reluctant to finish his thought, "it would send them into a panic to think one of them can come in and take anyone they like. It might put pressure on my father to consider working with the Roison after their repeated attempts to recruit us into joining their cause."

I don't want to voice my doubts, because I need Kai to think this can work. I won't point out that people won't be as concerned about an urchin as he believes they'll be. They've never seen me as one of their own.

"Dupre would have to be dealt with," I say.

Kai's eyes turn from uncertain to strategic, the leader of the rebellion peeking through. "We'd need to put his death in the prince's hands." He meets my gaze again. "All of this assuming he doesn't suspect you're orchestrating anything."

"I think…if he were to see you use your power on me, he'd never doubt it."

He nods. "It'd have to be convincing," he says. "Something beyond reproach. Something even the metal slinger of Kenta would believe to be merciless."

I think about his weird fixation on my attachment to Kai. "He believes you've influenced me to fall in love with you."

His brows come down in a hard slant, righteous indignation flaming behind his eyes. "It's as insulting as it is disgusting."

"I know, but reaffirming his judgment would solidify his suspicions."

He continues his pacing, and I wait as Kai sorts through everything I've laid at his feet. It's a huge deviation from our plans, but it's the best option we've been given. It'd be dumb not to take it. He knows that.

"When it's discovered he's missing, they'll search the grove. I'll make sure to be the one to do it, and I'll use my influence on you."

"Okay," I say, agreeing.

He stops and looks at me. "My father gives me favoritism, but I don't know how far it'll go if he finds out I'm leading the rebellion. There's not a lot of room for error. You'll have to let you guard down."

I nod, knowing he means the shield he's taught me to keep erected when around his father.

Stepping closer, he angles my face up to his. "I don't want to do this," he says.

"I know," I tell him, hating the pain in his eyes. "I trust you."

He touches his forehead to mine, eyes pinched. "I could be sending you to your death, Brynn."

"It's a risk I'm willing to take."

He rocks his head from side to side. "If he so much as looks at you wrong—"

"I'll kill him myself."

He kisses me then lets me go. "Don't tell Messer."

"Why?"

He makes a curious face then says, "'Cause he'll lose his shit."